Princess Ingrid Alexandra has announced changes to her studies after returning to Norway to see her mother, Crown Princess Mette Marit, who underwent lung transplant surgery.
Norway’s heir to the throne, 22, is now poised to commence her studies at the University of Oslo this Monday, August 10.
Ingrid Alexandra will enrol as an exchange student from the University of Sydney, where she has been pursuing her degree.
She is set to undertake coursework within the Faculty of Social Sciences for the forthcoming semester, the Norwegian royal household confirmed in an official statement.
Following an initial reception, the princess will be treated as any other student on campus, with no media presence permitted during her academic activities.
The move marks a fresh academic chapter for the young royal, who is second in line to the Norwegian throne, after what has been an emotionally challenging period for her family.
Ingrid Alexandra flew back to Norway in June as concerns mounted over the health of her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease.
Mette-Marit, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, next in line to the throne, had been placed on the transplant list, with Professor Are Holm, a respiratory specialist at Oslo University Hospital, revealing the list is reserved for patients with just “one year left to live”.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra has announced changes to her studies after returning to Norway to see her mother, Crown Princess Mette Marit, who underwent lung transplant surgery
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GETTYThe Norwegian Palace then announced last month that Mette-Marit had been discharged from hospital after undergoing the “life-saving” operation.
Dr Holm said Mette-Marit’s condition is “as good as can be expected” following the procedure.
The Crown Princess released a statement saying she is “deeply grateful” and has been “given the gift of life”.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit received her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis in 2018
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GETTYIn the wake of the operation, Ingrid Alexandra opted to remain in her home country rather than return to Australia.
Her father, Crown Prince Haakon, explained her reasoning simply to Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “She wants to be with her mother.”
Whether the princess will eventually resume her studies in Sydney remains an open question.
The royal household has not confirmed any plans for her return to Australia, though notably she has not deferred her course, leaving the door ajar for a future move back.
The princess first embarked on her three-year Social Sciences degree in Sydney in July 2025, residing in on-campus accommodation at the university.
She completed her initial term before heading home in December of that year.
Speaking to NRK about her time in Australia, Ingrid Alexandra expressed considerable enthusiasm. “I am enjoying it very much so far,” she said, adding: “Sydney was the right choice for me.”
The future Norwegian monarch also reflected on the practical value of her chosen field of study. “I definitely think that my education will be very relevant to the job I will do in the future,” she told the broadcaster.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding a potential return to Australia, her course remains active, suggesting she may yet pick up where she left off in Sydney.